The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies, Dr Riverson Oppong, has dismissed claims that the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has eliminated fuel discounting, insisting that the regulator has only corrected a long-standing error.

Speaking on JoyNews PM Express on Wednesday, Dr. Oppong said public discussions surrounding the directive have been misleading and have overshadowed more significant developments in petroleum pricing.

“Indeed, when I hear that NPA has scrapped discounting, I find that a bit alarming. NPA has not scrapped it; they have rectified an error which I believe is long overdue to be corrected,” he explained.

The clarification comes after the NPA directed Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and LPG Marketing Companies (LPGMCs) to halt discounted fuel pricing under revised Petroleum Pricing Guidelines set to take effect from March 16, 2026.

Under the new directive, companies are required to maintain uniform pricing across all retail outlets. The price displayed at the pump must match the price submitted to the regulator, and selective discounts at specific outlets will no longer be allowed.

Dr. Oppong, however, emphasised that media attention has focused too narrowly on discounts, neglecting broader market trends and potential price movements.

“I don’t think that when NPA introduced this discounting regime, it gained the popular attention that scrapping it has done. The whole country is talking about discount scrapped amidst a more important issue with the price hike,” he said.

He hinted that the next petroleum pricing window could bring more notable developments for both the industry and consumers.

“And let me say this, the next window will be very interesting. Look forward to that next window from the 16th of March. Ghana will know what real marketing is in terms of the oil industry or downstream is concerned,” he added.

Industry watchers and consumers are closely monitoring fuel price trends ahead of the new pricing cycle. When asked whether his comments implied a negative outlook for consumers, Dr. Oppong rejected that interpretation.

“Why? I think everybody who knows me knows that I’m very optimistic and factual,” he said.

While concerns have been raised that the end of selective discounts could push pump prices higher, Dr. Oppong maintained that the directive should be understood not as a ban on discounting, but as a correction of a regulatory oversight within the petroleum pricing framework.